Euthanasia

Euthanasia Latest News

The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear a plea in seeking passive euthanasia for rabies patients.

About Passive Euthanasia

• Euthanasia is defined as the hastening of death of a patient to prevent further suffering.
• The term “euthanasia” comes from the Greek phrase “eu thanatos”, in which “eu” means “good” and “thanatos” translates into “death.” Literally speaking, the maxim translates to “easy death”.
• The practice of euthanasia can be classified into the following two categories:
• Active Euthanasia: 
  • Active euthanasia is a method that involves taking active steps to end a life. 
  • This involves taking positive steps to end a patient’s life, such as by administering them a dose of medication through their intravenous line that will kill them. 
  • Active euthanasia is also sometimes referred to by the term “aggressive euthanasia”.
• Passive Euthanasia: 
  • Passive Euthanasia is defined as the deliberate act of causing someone’s death by withholding or withdrawing artificial life support, such as a ventilator, from a patient who is terminally ill. 
  • In a case like this, something that is essential to save a patient’s life is not done.

Euthanasia Legality in India

• In a landmark ruling in the Common Cause vs. Union of India case (2018), a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court recognised the right to die as part of the right to life, legalising passive euthanasia and permitting the creation of a “living will”for terminally ill patients or those in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery, ensuring a dignified exit by refusing medical treatment or life support.
• However, in India, active euthanasia is illegal and a crime. 

Euthanasia FAQs

Q1. Which country legalized euthanasia first?

Ans. The Netherlands was the first country to legalize euthanasia. 

Q2. What is duo euthanasia?

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Ans. Duo euthanasia is when two people choose to die together, often due to terminal illness, unbearable suffering, or a desire to pass away together from old age or psychological distress.

Q3. What is Voluntary euthanasia?

Ans. Voluntary euthanasia is when a competent person consents to end their own life with the assistance of a doctor, typically due to unbearable suffering from a terminal illness or incurable condition

Source: HT